Black Smoke Bourbon Bar — Restaurant in Town of Hamburg

5/17/2025 I am a local and have been going to Black Smoke for a while now, I love the ambience and the layout and the drinks are very good. I went to the bar a few weeks ago and walked up to the middle of the bar. The bar was not packed and there were plenty of open seats which lead me to believe I would get served shortly. I stood at the bar for about 10 minuets as I watched the bartenders eye me down and pass over me multiple times. I did not think anything about it until people started coming up to the bar next to me and immediately got served. The man with the glasses, the bigger short fellow, and the short younger girl with eyebrows that hit an exponential slope in the upwards position all looked at me, as I simply stood at the bar with my card in hand as I continuously got ignored multiple times. I felt absolutely embarrassed because I was trying to by drinks for not just me but friends in my group as well. I ended up walking out from disgust after another person walked up next to me and got immediately served. Now, I am not one to let one "bad experience" ruin my night, and because I love black smoke I went back again on 5/17/2025 (you can look up who worked on that shift but the same people). My girlfriend used my card which has an image of the American flag and after she ordered once, the same younger girl bartender ignored her for the rest of the night. I can only assume she did not like my card with the image of the American flag which is why she would not serve us. It is a shame that such a nice place has a very disrespectful bartending crew especially since it is a higher class bar with expensive but delicious drinks. It wouldn't hurt for the staff to be nice and not care about "of all things" and American flag. Since I had to stand there patiently for almost 10 minuets when the bar was nearly empty holding my card in hand and making direct eye contact with the bartending crew to not even get an "I'll be with you in a moment" shows that Black Smoke needs to take a close look at who they hire and how they go about training their staff. I love Black Smoke but just know their "young" and seemingly untrained staff may make you feel unwelcome and disrespected. (to clarify I know it takes a long time to serve when the bar is booked, this day the bar was empty with only a few people standing at the bar). I spend a lot of money here and want to come back again, but I have had two bad experiences twice in a row and a third time may be the last time I step foot in this bar because loyal customers shouldn't have to feel belittled after spending a lot of money from drinks and tipping a rude staff. I love the bar and have recommended it to countless people but I'm afraid I am becoming hesitant to recommend this due to how the staff...

Newish spot in the village of Hamburg. Full menu and bar and indoor, outdoor and roof patio for nicer weather. This spot had a one day soft opening last spring for Hamburg Music Fest and since then they have been building up their menu and getting their bearings. I’ve been in a few times for drinks and the cocktail list is unique, delicious and well put together, something for every liquor preference. Last night was the first time that I have dined here and we were very happy. We started out with the pork belly appetizer. A generous amount and cooked perfectly. My significant other ordered the classic chicken sandwich. He says it was really good. Perfectly cooked bacon, deep fried chicken cooked to a dark golden brown but still very juicy on a fresh brioche bun. I was hoping for the short ribs but they were out. I guess I’ll have to go back and try again later. I settled upon the blackened shrimp jambalaya. Lots of shrimp, chicken and sausage and packed with flavor. Spicy but not overly hot.

Overall service was great. And every time I’ve come has been a good experience. Excited to check out the roof when it warms up a little more. The outdoor space is great to visit too. Fire pits and an outdoor tiki bar make this a perfect place to grab a meal or drinks...

I’m not sure where to begin. We waited 15 minutes at the bar before someone even said hi to us. There was a girl (probably 16) behind the bar, just staring at us. No hi, hello, someone will be right with you. Finally a bartender came over and informed us we had the wrong menu and gave us another one. After we waited and already made our decision….that was super annoying. 30 minutes later, we finally got our mediocre drinks. We then placed our food order which we watched several people walk past it under the heat lamps. The pickles were so soggy and burger was just okay. We also didn’t have any silverware, when I finally was able to ask for some she gave it to us unrolled and said sorry the wrapped silverware was at the host stand and I guess she didn’t want to walk up there. That is poor restaurant etiquette. I have been in the industry 15 years and always give grace but this place deserves none. I usually only leave 5 star reviews but I was so underwhelmed and disappointed. There is more I could say but I think I hit the key notes. Terrible service, etiquette, and mediocre food and drinks. Do...